The Bahnar ethnic minority group in the remote Konchoro district of GiaLai province is in the spotlight for its efforts to preserve and upholdethnic character for sustainable community development.

Konchoro district has for a long time been considered the home of gongculture in Gia Lai province, not only for the large number of gongs inthe district but also their diversity.

The district iscurrently preserving 560 sets of gongs, including 150 ancient ones,which will be used in the community’s festivals.

Apart fromgongs, local Bahnar people are also conserving many charnel houses. Theybelieve that the souls of the dead still live with the villagers, sothe community attaches much importance to preserving the charnel houses.

In the district, the communal house is a sacred place forvillagers to gather and hold festivities such as celebrating the newharvested rice festival.

The communal house of Bahnar peoplewas built using traditional methods with all the materials taken fromthe forest. After three years of construction, the house is essentiallyfinished.

The house serves as a hallowed place for the god.

Apart from preserving its traditional character, the district isactively educating and encouraging villagers to abolish backwardpractices, take their children to school and go to infirmaries when theyare sick.

According to Chairman of Konchoro People’s CommitteePhan Van Trung, preserving and strengthening the traditional characterfosters the local socio-economic development. For many years, thedistrict has carried out many active and comprehensive methods toeffectively preserve and uphold their traditions.

Theconservation of traditions affirms the will and aspirations of localpeople, as well as the efforts of local authorities and functionalagencies for the sustainable development of the community, he said.-VNA